Alcohol Awareness Month encourages important conversations about alcohol, alcohol use disorder and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. But one group is still too often left out: the children.
Millions of young people in the United States – 1 in 4 children – grow up in families affected by alcohol or substance use disorder. Even when adults try to shield them, children notice the tension, the unpredictability, and the silence surrounding addiction. Many begin to believe the drinking is somehow their fault.
At the National Association for Children of Addiction (NACoA), we work with children and teens who are navigating these experiences every day. One of the most powerful moments in our groups is when a child realizes they are not the only one. That moment of connection can begin to lift years of isolation.
Research shows that protective factors—like safe adults, honest conversations, and supportive peer connections—can significantly improve the trajectory of a child’s life.
During Alcohol Awareness Month, let’s remember the children who are quietly carrying the impact of the disease of addiction at home. And include them in important conversations about alcohol and the disease of addiction.
When we see them, listen to them, and support them, we can help change their future.
Resources for Families and Kids
If you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or professional looking for ways to support youth impacted by addiction, NACoA offers a variety of resources.
For Parents and Caregivers
Tools for Parents/Caregivers
Language When Talking to Kids and Teens
NACoA’s Parents Guide: Talking to Kids and Teens About Alcohol and Other Substances
Additional Family Resources and Blogs are also available.
Tools and Resources for Kids and Teens
These resources can help start conversations, provide guidance, and help caring adults support children so that they are not alone.
